Exploring the rich ethnobotanical heritage: Medicinal plant uses in taif city, Saudi Arabia

Received: 08-Aug-2024, Manuscript No. mp-24-141053; Accepted: 08-Sep-2024, Pre QC No. mp-24-141053 (PQ); Editor assigned: 11-Aug-2024, Pre QC No. mp-24-141053 (PQ); Reviewed: 27-Aug-2024, QC No. mp-24-141053 (Q); Revised: 02-Sep-2024, Manuscript No. mp-24-141053 (R); Published: 13-Sep-2024

Introduction

The interest in traditional medicine has significantly increased over the past few years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of the world’s population relies on traditional medicine, defined as the totality of knowledge, skills, and practices based on indigenous theories, beliefs, and experiences used in health maintenance and disease treatment (Azaizeh et al., 2003). Herbal medicine, the most widely used form of traditional medicine, involves approximately 25,000 to 75,000 plant species globally (Eshete et al., 2016). Traditional medicine is particularly prevalent in low and middle-income nations due to its accessibility and affordability (WHO 2004). Recent studies emphasize the importance of documenting ethnobotanical knowledge to support the discovery of new therapeutic compounds and the sustainable use of plant resources (Nguyen et al., 2023; Ali et al., 2024). In Saudi Arabia, ethnobotanical studies have documented the rich traditional use of medicinal plants across various regions (Abulafatih, 1987; Al-Said, 1993; El-Ghazali et al., 2010). However, modernization threatens to erode this valuable knowledge. This study aims to document the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants in Taif City, Saudi Arabia, thus preserving this knowledge for future generations and potential scientific research.

Materials and Methods

Study area

Taif City, located in the Makkah Region of western Saudi Arabia Fig 1, is known for its favourable climate and production of high-value Rose oil from Rosa damascena (Aldhebiani & Yaslam, 2023). The city spans an area of approximately 13,840 km² and has a population of 689,916 with a growth rate of 2% per annum (Statistics, 2020; Alharthi & El-Damaty, 2022).

Figure 1: Geographical location for Taif City (Alharthi & El-Damaty, 2022)

Data collection

Ethnobotanical data were collected from July 2019 to August 2020 using semi-structured interviews and online questionnaires due to COVID-19 restrictions. A total of 384 informants participated, with data recorded in Arabic and later analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Ethical approval was obtained from the Unit of Biomedical Ethics Research Committee at King Abdulaziz University .

Data analysis

Data were compiled and summarized in an Excel spreadsheet, categorizing plant use into 19 disease categories based on the Saudi Ministry of Health's classification. The relative frequency of plant families, species, parts used, and preparation methods were calculated. The informant consensus factor (Fic) was used to assess the cultural importance of each species.

Results

Demographic profile of informants

The survey included 384 respondents, 60% of whom were women and 40% men. The majority of participants were aged between 35 years-44 years (33%), followed by those aged 25 years-34 years (28%). The lowest percentage was for those aged 65 years-74 years (3%) and above (1%) (Tab 1-3). The majority of participants (93%) used medicinal plants for health purposes, either regularly (64%) or occasionally (32%) (Fig 2-4).

Table 1. Demographic profile of all informants

Table 2. Comparison demographic profile of informants

Table 3. Sources of traditional medicinal plant knowledge

Figure 2: Using medicinal plants

Figure 3: The purpose of use

Figure 4: Preference for use

Ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants

Table 4 shows a Complete inventory of plants used by Saudi Arabians in Taif, including scientific names, vernacular names, family names, parts used, medicinal uses and relative frequency of species. It reveals that the study documented the use of 68 plant species across 33 families. The families with the highest frequency were Lamiaceae (10 species), Apiaceae (8 species), and Asteraceae (5 species) (Fig 5 and Tab 4). The most frequently cited plant species were Pimpinella anisum L. (Anise, 12%), Mentha spicata L. (Mint, 7%), and Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. (Myrrha, 5%).

Table 4. Complete inventory of plants used by Saudi Arabians in Taif, including scientific names, vernacular names, family names, parts used, medicinal uses and relative frequency of species

Figure 5: Relative frequency of plant families

Plant parts used

The most commonly used plant parts were leaves (34%), followed by seeds (23%), whole plants (15%), and fruits (10%). Other parts, such as roots, bark, and flowers, were used less frequently (Fig 6).

Figure 6: Plant parts used

Methods of preparation and use

The predominant methods of preparation were decoction (37%) and infusion (30%), followed by grinding (8%), mixing with honey (5%), bandaging and chewing (3%), and using as ointments and mixing with food (2%) (Fig 7 and Tab 5).

Figure 7: Methods of plant preparation and use

Table 5. Mixtures and preparation methods

Informant Consensus Factor (Fic)

The Fic values were calculated to assess the cultural importance of plants and the agreement among informants on plant use for specific ailments. The highest Fic values were for orthopaedic illnesses (0.90), gastrointestinal illnesses (0.87), and endocrine illnesses (0.80), indicating a high level of agreement among informants. Gastrointestinal diseases were the most frequently cited ailments; with Pimpinella anisum L. being the most commonly used plant for these conditions.

Discussion

The present study indicates that traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is still prevalent in Taif City. The demographic profile shows higher participation of women, which aligns with previous studies indicating that women often possess more knowledge about medicinal plants due to their roles in household health care (Alqethami et al., 2017, 2020).

The high number of plant species from the Lamiaceae family reflects its wide use in traditional medicine, likely due to its known therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects (CaroviÄ?-Stanko et al., 2016). Recent research supports these findings, highlighting the role of Lamiaceae species in developing new therapeutic agents (Nguyen et al., 2023).

The prominence of Pimpinella anisum L. (Anise) in treating gastrointestinal disorders corroborates findings from (Abd El-Mawla et al., 2013, 2014), who reported its common use for digestive issues. Anise's effectiveness is supported by its documented antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, contributing to its widespread use in traditional medicine (Shojaii & Abdollahi Fard, 2012).

The preference for using leaves and seeds can be attributed to their ease of preparation and high concentration of bioactive compounds. Leaves are often used for their direct application to ailments, while seeds are known for their preserved potency when stored (Fabricant & Farnsworth, 2001).

The high Fic values for certain disease categories, such as gastrointestinal and orthopedics illnesses, suggest a strong consensus among the local population regarding the effectiveness of specific plants for these conditions. This consensus indicates a rich and coherent body of traditional knowledge that has been preserved over generations. The high usage of Pimpinella anisum L. for gastrointestinal issues is supported by its therapeutic properties, which include antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral effects (Nguyen et al., 2023).

Similarly, the use of Commiphora myrrha (Myrrha) for wound healing and dental inflammation is consistent with its known antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it a valuable plant in traditional wound care and oral health (ElGhazali et al., 2010). The cultural importance of these plants, as indicated by the high Fic values, emphasizes the need for further pharmacological studies to validate and potentially integrate these traditional remedies into modern medicine (Heinrich et al., 1998).

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive documentation of the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants in Taif City, Saudi Arabia. The findings highlight the rich traditional knowledge possessed by the local population and the therapeutic potential of the documented plants. Preserving this this knowledge is crucial for future medical research and biodiversity conservation. The study underscores the importance of integrating traditional and modern medicine to enhance healthcare outcomes and preserve cultural heritage.

Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the contributions and support of the staff at King Abdulaziz University's herbarium. Additionally, we would like to thank all the participants both through interviews and online. No funding resources were available for this work and all expenses were from the author’s side.

Data Availability Statement

All data is available in the manuscript.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethics Approval Statement

Ethics approval was received from King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Unit of Biomedical Ethics Research Committee, Ethics Committee (Reference No 450-21).

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